Health benefits of red wine 'may be over-hyped'

Scientists have discovered that the perceived health benefits of red wine in protecting against heart disease and cancer may be nothing more than hype.

A team at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in the US set out to investigate the French Paradox, which is the phenomenon that French people seem to live longer and experience less heart disease than their European neighbours, despite eating a high-fat diet.

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This had been put down to the fact that they also drink a lot of red wine and so benefit from its anti-inflammatory ingredient resveratrol.

The researchers visited two small towns in Tuscany and collected data from 783 elderly people over nine years. Each person provided details about their daily diet, as well as urine samples so their resveratrol intake could be assessed.

During the study period, 268 of the men and women died, 174 developed heart disease and 34 contracted cancer. However, there was no link between heightened risk of these conditions and urinary resveratrol.

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Indeed, the team found neither evidence that the ingredient could increase longevity, nor any association with inflammation in the blood.

Writing in the journal JAMA Internal Medicine, lead author Professor Richard Semba said: 'The story of resveratrol turns out to be another case where you get a lot of hype about health benefits that doesn't stand the test of time.'

The British Heart Foundation is currently carrying out its own investigation into resveratrol and cardiac health to see if it backs up this new research.

Although it is frequently suggested that red wine consumed in moderation could provide a boost to heart health, there is actually no clear evidence that it is any better than beer, white wine or other types of drink for the body.

Therefore, health experts recommend that caution should be exercised in drinking it, with no more than 148ml a day advised for male over-65s and women of all ages, or twice this for men under retirement age.

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